Allegiance by Cayla Kluver

Allegiance
Legacy 2

Author: Cayla Kluver
Pages: 490 pgs
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Release Date: February 28th 2012
Review Source: NetGalley

This sequel for Legacy was quite possibly even better than the first book, and I don't say that very often. Cayla has a wonderful way of describing a scene and emotions that have helped to make this trilogy so fascinating.

Alera, now Queen at eighteen, has to learn to help lead Hytanica in the midst of war. Those she's married, her heart still belongs to Narian, in spite of his destiny to defeat them.

The Overlord seeks to conquer Hytanica, but Alera refuses to see her kingdom fall. A horrible betrayal, deaths, and a far reaching battle are just the start of what they'll have to face. Will Alera find the hope and courage she needs to lead her kingdom?

One of things I really like about Alera in Legacy was that she wasn't your typical princess. She wasn't fine with sitting back and letting the men do all of the work. And in Allegiance she still wasn't that kind of Queen. We really got to see her grow in this book and face her fears. Like any person, Alera wasn't perfect right off the bat, but who is? It was gradual and I loved seeing the change in her and watching her become stronger.

The world Cayla created is so rich with beauty and strength and background, I don't know how she's kept it all straight. Every character, background, and history seems so thoroughly touched on and presented, it really makes her stories that much more real. As though you could relate to her characters and the choices they make.

I also found myself greatly intrigued by one of the secondary characters, London. He started out as Alera's body guard and has since filled other roles. We learned a little bit about him in Legacy, but got even more of his story in this book and I loved it! London is an intelligent and strong character, and we got to know him a little better as Alera did.

Cayla has done a phenomenal job with this trilogy so far and I am definitely excited to find out what's in store for them in the conclusion. Though it will be sad to see it come to an end, I know it won't be anything short of wonderful.